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Illinois advances bill to ban hidden fees across consumer goods, services

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Illinois advances bill to ban hidden fees across consumer goods, services


One day after the Biden administration announced it is putting an end to junk fees in air travel, Illinois lawmakers are one step closer to sweeping legislation that puts an end to hidden fees on just about everything residents buy in the Land of Lincoln.

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With inflation showing no signs of letting up, Illinois lawmakers are pushing legislation designed to offset rising prices at the pump, the grocery store, and everywhere else Illinois residents find goods and services.

State Rep. Bob Morgan is the sponsor of the “Junk Fee Ban Act.”

“This last weekend I was at a restaurant and ordered a burger and it was $12. I paid it. I knew what I was getting, but then when I got the check there was a 3-percent mandatory surcharge on there and when I asked what it was for, they said it was the service fee and I said service for what?” Morgan said.

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The sweeping legislation covers what some describe as “stealth inflation” padding restaurant bills with additional fees, concert tickets, and rideshare totals — anything that includes a surcharge that customers can’t see until after they order goods or services.

“Give me the choice as the customer, the consumer to decide whether or not to pay that money,” Morgan said.

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If the bill is signed into law, the savings for a family of four in Illinois averages $3,000 per year.

“Inflation is a global pressure right? These are services and goods that we know the costs are going up. What we expect though and demand is that there is transparency. Let me make the choice when I’m going to buy an airline ticket, concert ticket, that I know what the actual price is the true price,” Morgan said.

The legislation passed in the House and is now on its way to the Senate. If signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, it would take effect in January 2025.

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5 tornadoes confirmed in central Illinois following weekend storms

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5 tornadoes confirmed in central Illinois following weekend storms


(WAND) – The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes touched down in central Illinois during Sunday’s storms. 

The tornado count for the WAND viewing area, which does not include all of central Illinois, is now at 61 as of June 22.

For reference, the area averages 20 tornadoes annually. 

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The NWS confirmed an EF-1 east of Neoga in Cumberland County, along with EF-0 tornadoes southwest of Stewardson in Shelby County and northeast of Toledo, also in Cumberland County. 

Additionally, the NWS office in St. Louis confirmed two EF-0 tornadoes south of Shobonier in far southern Fayette County. 

Shobonier is about 10 miles south of Vandalia.

Final details have yet to be released.

This is a developing story. 

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Jimmy Awards: Park Ridge, Tinley Park students to make Broadway debut

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Jimmy Awards: Park Ridge, Tinley Park students to make Broadway debut


CHICAGO (WLS) — The Jimmy Awards honoring “theatre kids” is happening on Monday night in New York City!

Jane Nuich from Park Ridge and Logan Arroyo of Tinley Park will represent Illinois. They’ll be competing against over 100 students from across the nation.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

ABC7’s Hosea Sanders has been following their adventure that leads to a Broadway debut.

When asked if they’ve been intimidated about what’s to come, Arroyo said, “Yes, it’s scary. It’s a scary place, especially putting yourself out there on a stage or alone. I want to be an actor, and I will do whatever I can to do that.”

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Nuich added, “It’s a huge opportunity to work with industry professionals and with so many other talented young people. And you get to experience so much in New York in that short week. And it’s, I think, such a cool experience rather than a big competition.”

Sanders also Arroyo and Nuich what growing up in the Chicago area has done for their exposure and their goals.

“I think the immediate access to all of the theater that Chicago has to offer has been so incredible to me. As a young student of theater and young performer in theater, I think it’s been so educational to me, and so inspiring to be able to anywhere in Chicago in a quick moment from the suburbs to just see so much theater,” Nuich said. “I think it’s so comforting to know you’re surrounded by so many artists who are just as passionate as you. And I think that going into a career in this, it’s so incredible to be exposed to so many young performers who are so talented and passionate as this age.”

Arroyo added, “I’m so excited to be around people I care about and love this as much as I do.”

When asked what previous Illinois Jimmy winners have told the performs, Nuich said, “It goes by really fast, that a lot will happen, but it’s important to stay grounded and to take it all in and realize what a special experience it is, and you just keep working hard.”

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“My big dream is to do what I love and love myself for doing it,” Arroyo said.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Video shows deadly tornado that hit southern Illinois, killing 2

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Video shows deadly tornado that hit southern Illinois, killing 2


A tornado caught on video tore through southern Illinois on Sunday, killing at least two people, hurting several others and destroying homes.

What we know:

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The tornado touched down shortly after 5 p.m. in northeastern Jefferson County and moved northeast, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Soon after, 911 dispatchers began getting calls about damaged homes, fallen trees, downed power lines and missing people.

Several police, fire and ambulance agencies responded to help search for people and clear damaged areas.

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By 9 p.m., officials said three homes had been completely destroyed, and many other buildings were damaged.

Two people died in separate homes that were destroyed by the storm. Both were single-wide mobile homes.

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Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

What we don’t know:

Officials have not released the names of the two people who died.

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The National Weather Service has not yet said how strong the tornado was or how far it traveled.

Local perspective:

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Fallen trees blocked at least three roads across the area.

Power lines were knocked down in multiple places, but officials said power had been restored to most customers by Sunday night.

Authorities asked people to stay away from northeastern Jefferson County unless they had an emergency reason to be there.

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The backstory:

The storm came less than two weeks after another round of severe weather produced more than 20 tornadoes across parts of Illinois and northwest Indiana on June 11.

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What they’re saying:

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office thanked first responders and volunteers who helped with search and rescue efforts.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those lost in this tragic event,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

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The Source: The information in this story came from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

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